Italian Interns at the SVM

The School is pleased to announce the arrival of two interns from Italy, Paolo, 26, and Francesca, 21, who are currently participating in the intern program of the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the Universita Cattolica del Saro Cuore in Milan. They will work at the School three days a week for 10 weeks until the end of September. The ACU approached the School, with which it has had a long association, to see if Paolo and Francesca could work with the School for their tenure.

The SVM welcomed them with open arms and has developed three specific projects that will deliver work-based outcomes for the duo. First of these projects is working with Youth Volunteering Program Manager/SCIP coordinator, Maia Giordano, researching and summarising youth/student volunteering programs throughout Australia. The other two projects are market research and course positioning, and competency mapping to professional development workshops to units of competency from the School’s Diplomas of Business and Management. The last two projects will greatly assist the School in marketing its Registered Training Courses and to link many of its Professional Development Workshops to units in the Diplomas of Business and Management.

Introducing the Francesca and Paolo in their own words:

Francesca Ballotta

‘My name is Francesca Ballotta and I am in Australia from Italy for a 10-week internship with the School of Volunteer Management at The Centre for Volunteering. I am 21-years-old and in the second year of an Economics degree at Catholic University in Italy.

My time in Australia will be the starting point for quickly learning new prospects and a new language. My desire is not only to travel but to eventually return home with a broader and richer cultural experience.

What about me? For several years, I have attended a circus school and also a theatre school which was a wonderful experience and was also important to learn greater self-confidence and communication with people. I love any kind of sports especially mountain climbing, skating, trekking and biking. I think that playing sports helps to refine self-control, and melts away the stress of daily living.

I am enthusiastic for my work experience because I am also very interested in volunteering. Two years ago I volunteered and lived in northern Thailand with children at a local orphanage. I worked as a volunteer in a centre that gave hospitality to the poor and orphaned children which assured them education and identity rights.

This internship at the SVM could be important for me because next year as I have to choose my degree specialisation, which may be in economics and international markets.

Finally, I think that this is an enormous opportunity for meeting a different culture, in an Australian work environment.'

Paolo Fanizzi

‘My name is Paolo Fanizzi and I have joined Francesca on a 10-week internship to Australia. I am also studying at Catholic University in Italy. I achieved the specialised Economics degree in April 2009. In July 2006 I achieved an Economics degree in the same University.

I worked until June 2009 as an auditing controller at Step Spa (Piacenza) which is a supply chain Italian company. From November 2006 to March 2008, I worked as an accountant practitioner. In the past I was a Sony promoter at Mediaworld Shops and also worked as a barman in clubs in Italy.

I enjoy playing football (soccer) in a local Italian team as their goalkeeper. I also enjoy other hobbies, including tennis, ping pong, music and cooking.

I have always wanted to travel to other countries to learn new languages and understand different cultures and lifestyles. To satisfy my interest and curiosity, I have undertaken several trips around Western Europe and now Australia. Because I have a strong ambition to strengthen and improve my English, which will give me better opportunities and career prospects, I wanted to do this internship as an important experience and understand the Australian economy.
At the some time it is important for my application form to work in a company.

I have chosen to work in Australia because I am attracted to the Australian lifestyle, culture and landscape.’

We wish our two interns the best of luck during their stay and hope the learning curve matches their expectations. We will update on their progress toward the end of their stay.